Monday, February 6, 2017

Valentine Roses by Candlelight Mixed Media Canvas

Howdy and Guess What? 
I'm going to tell you a secret.  I am not a romantic.
Don't fret - neither is hubby - so all is well :)

But I do admire the 'spirit of love' from the heart. 

Wishing each of you a HAPPY VALENTINE'S month! 

I made a little Valentine for you...

The goal was to make something for Valentine's Day, of course. So I just began playing with DecoArt Media Modeling Paste, Misters and Fluid Acrylics. I first started with a smaller heart but it just grew as I played with it.  Sooooo much fun!!!  


Honestly - part of me wishes I would have just called it done and left it like this... I just love the abstract, grungy, glamour of these bright, bold colors and streaks. But alas... it's gone.



 Something inside me was pulling me towards the gentle side of Valentine's Day.  Dear me... pink? What? I am so not a pink lady. How about variegated pink???  Here we go!!!

I made a wash from DecoArt Media white gesso and just spread it all over the 10x12" canvas. 


After drying it looked like this.


Out came the DecoArt Americana Decoupage Paper: Victorian Romance. I adore this set of papers. This set has music, script and rustic florals - just beautiful. 


I used a script page and applied with DecoArt Media Matte Medium and ugh...my jar is empty. I was literally scraping the sides with my fingers to get the last drops. Remind me to order more please.  That's one thing that's very hard to be without!


After the paper was dry I added DecoArt Metallic Lustre: Fab Fuchsia. This was the first time I have used this color and I promise you... it is exquisite. 




It was then time to start painting the roses. I can't believe it...but I do not have one single photo of the rose painting in progress.  I am usually so good about taking pictures.  Really bummed about that but...it's also nice to realize I was "in my zone" as they say and enjoying the process.  My roses are not perfect by any means... but I like them.  After I finished them, I saw some roses that Ursula Wollenberg did on Youtube - click here - and I used one of her "tips" to enhance my finished flowers.  Ursula is one of my favorite canvas artists. Thank you Ursula!

The roses were complete, I couldn't wait to apply the DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze (one of my favorite products) to my background. I didn't do it earlier because I wasn't sure where the rose petals and greenery would end. 


After it was dry, the DecoArt Media Carbon Black Antiquing Cream was PERFECT for enhancing the crackle. 


On to the finishing touches!

How about a bit of romance?  Whoa!!! 
I was thrilled to win this gorgeous Holiday Sketches: Christmas Candles stamp from Stamplorations.  It seemed like the perfect addition to the inside of my Valentine heart.



For me... shimmer and shine is a must on my project (if I can get by with it).  Out comes the glamour dust and the liquid glass.  Imagine my YUMMY DELIGHT when DecoArt made Tiger ORANGE Glamour Dust - OH YEAH (orange is my fav color don't you know??)!!  The DecoArt Media Liquid Glass was used on the candles to make them look 'waxy'.


My overall favorite DecoArt Glamour Dust color - Ice Crystal - went abundantly all over the heart.


Many products were used along with Dynasty paint brushes. Hey... I love the challenge of using mixed media to the MAX!



Are here are some close-ups of the finished piece!










Thanks bunches for taking the time to share thoughts and art!
Wish you a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY with all my heart. Xj.

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14 comments:

Candy C said...

Wow! Just look at all that texture with those great deco art products. I love the different colors and all of the different hues you have achieved from each color. What a lovely Valentine!

Brenda Brown said...

I just love looking through your posts where I can see all the amazing steps you take to create your magnificent creations. This is beautiful Joi, full of wonderful textures and colours and perfect for February. Huge hugs xxx

Redanne said...

Oh wow, the heart alone is stunning and then you added those gorgeous roses, they are quite exquisite and I just love all the texture across the whole canvas!! Hugs, Anne xx

SewPaperPaint said...

I find it funny that I am far from a romantic, but that Valentines day conjures up so many feelings, particularly creatively for me. I just love to craft once a year in red and pink! LOL! Joi, I just love this canvas, what talent you have in your little finger! Stunning design and texture and your color blending is superb! Wishing you both a happy V day. Hugs, Autumn

Heather said...

WOW! this is so cool! love the technique! amazing project. (I'm not a romantic either lol)

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

So much gorgeous detail. Thanks for showing us the process too. Have a lovely Valentine's Day, Angela xXx

Win Dinn, Artist said...

What a joyous piece, my friend. I love the crackle - it ties the heart and roses together so beautifully. Well done! ox

Fliss said...

This is absolutely stunning Joi and you may not be a pink lady but you've definitely rocked this. So pretty and adore those roses.
Fliss xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Oh those roses. Your texture on this is supreme! LOVE the depth and color...and those candles are such a cool design element!

sarascloset said...

Well, Joi, you can add me to that list of not romantics. But I love hearts on artwork for some reason! (Especially when they have this kind of texture!) Your roses are oh-so-pretty! Really, REALLY love the Impressionist look to this! Hugs!

Karen Petitt said...

Dang Joi this is stunning! I adore the before and the after so maybe you could make another lol?! Just awesome art huni, thanks for sharing it with us xx

Words and Pictures said...

I know I've missed loads, but so glad I caught this magical textured piece. The layers of colour are just amazing, and the crackle and lustre are beautiful.
Alison x

froebelsternchen said...

An amazing canvas ! WOw and congrats on being published !
Happy 2017!
I know I am late - sorry!

Pamellia said...

Such a gorgeous Valentine piece Joi! I mean really, you can't go wrong with pink!!! lol. The texture is incredible, I want to reach out and touch this one! The composition is amazing, your heart and flowers create a wonderful flow. Your foliage is rich and there's a real sense of dimension!! Another amazing project full of colour and interest! So glad to be able to spend some time here with you today, I do hope to catch up with you soon. sending hugs :)